~Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Visting Utila:
Where is Utila and How Do I Travel to Utila?
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Utila is a small island community off the North coast of Honduras, in the Western Caribbean. Generally, people arrive by airplane or ferry, though other options such as private boat, charter sailboat, etc are available. The access towns are on the mainland, from San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, or Roatan. Note that Sundays are not an ideal travel day if you are looking to connect with mainland flights, because there are no scheduled flights in or out that day (though you can do charter). For more information and details for getting here, click on the tab “Travel to Utila”
What is Utila Like?
On Utila, you’ll find a relaxed, laid-back island that many describe as what the Caribbean “used to be”. If you are looking for a high-end resort destination with high-rises, time-shares, hawkers, or a fast paced nightlife, Utila is definitely not it…But if you are looking for a low-key, small Caribbean island, known for its laid back life-style, off-beat character easy access to great snorkeling and Scuba diving, a quaint town perfect for walking and biking, a variety of local ethnic groups, then Utila will be a great fit for you and you’ll likely find yourself returning again and again.
Should I Rent a Car?
One of the great things about Utila is that you actually can’t rent a car! There are very few cars on the island overall (less than 15), and primarily are taxis and delivery vehicles. Bikes, scooters, motorcycles, 4-wheelers, and golf carts are the standard transportation and are easily rented. There are also a few taxis (trucks and vans) that can assist you during your stay. A cab from the airport to town is about $2.00usd per person (30-40lps) and to some of the units outside of town about $5.00 usd per person. For more information on transport on this, please take a look at our link “Vehicles and Bikes“, which includes links to golf cart and bike rentals.
Does all the Lodging Have Air-Conditioning (AC) / Do I Need It?
Air-conditioning is available in most of the vacation rental homes, all of the resorts, and many of the hotels in Utila. Sometimes it is an additional option available with your room, and you can pay less if you don’t use it. Just ask ahead of time.
As far as whether you need AC, it largely depends on where you are from and your personal tastes as to weather and what you are comfortable in. Many people find that in the winter months they really don’t need it, but in the summer months in can be a very welcome addition.
If there is no AC, there will almost certainly be fans, which many people find is enough, especially during the winter and spring months.
Do I Need US Dollars or Lempiras? Will Credit Cards or ATM Cards Work?
Most of the businesses in Utila prefer cash, and indeed many are not equipped to take credit cards, though that appears to be rapidly changing. We suggest coming with some some cash, and use the ATM as a back-up. You may also consider travelers checks (USD) in the form of American Express or Visa. You will need your passport to change them.
You may find it easiest to exchange a little of your currency to lempiras at the airport with the money exchangers there, just to use for food and cabs along the way, and then exchange the majority of your money while on island. Expect to pay a surcharge for using credit cards with the businesses (2%-5%), though its not always the case.
There are now 2 ATMs on Utila, but yes, it is still possible for both to go down at the same time, or even be out of cash during busy times. You can get a cash advance on your credit card at the banks, and also at a few locations around town. You’ll pay more at these non-bank locations, but its a welcome options as it lets you avoid the sometimes very long bank lines, and you are not restricted to banking hours.
The bank and ATMS all tend to give out 500 lempira bills; if it’s a weekend or other busy time, you may have trouble changing these, especially at the smaller venues as its difficult for the smaller operations to keep up enough change.
Exchanging: You can use US dollars almost anywhere on Utila, but it will be easier for you to pay in lempiras, and you’ll probably save a few bucks with the exchange. The banks exchange at 18.895 lempiras to 1 usd dollar, but many folks prefer to go with “Archie”, who is just to the left of the main intersection as you get off the boat (same spot you buy beer by the case) where you get just about the same rate and no lines. Archie will also accept travellers checks.
Almost all of the businesses on Utila will accept USD dollars but many offer a reduced exchange rate of about 18 or 18.5 lempiras per dollar.
What is the Crime Rate & How Are Travelers Treated on Utila?
We don’t have exact statistics on crime on Utila, but basically it is very low. It is a small island, and the violent crime on tourists that you have in other areas is just not here. It is generally safe to walk around that main areas at night, though of course, you need to be smart about it. Theft is always a possibility wherever you go, so again, think ahead: don’t bring valuable jewelry, flash large wads of cash, don’t walk around by yourself at 2 in the morning, etc. Travelers are generally treated very well on Utila. We have many different cultures here and many travelers from all parts of the world, so it really is quite the mixing pot.
Are Outlets / Voltage the Same in Utila 110 volt? (The same as in the USA?)
We have the same style of outlets and voltage that is used in the USA; and no adapters are needed if your plugs have USA adaptors. You should consider bringing a surge protector for laptops and other valuable electronics, as power surges are fairly common.
How Are The Bugs?
While we don’t have lots of scary or dangerous creepy-crawlies, the mosquitoes and sand flies can definitely be a part of life on Utila, and indeed on most islands throughout the world. Mosquitoes are generally worse in the late hurricane season of the fall and also the rainy season, which can extend into January/February. But its the sandflies seem more of a nuisance than mosquitoes, but they carry no diseases. Time of day and wind conditions play important factors in he prevalence of sandflies, as they tend to be worse at sunset and sunrise. Additionally, and remember this point, if the wind is blowing, the little biters are generally hiding. If its calm, just think ahead and be prepared:
1. Use bug repellent or at least carry it. Just keep a can in your back, especially if you might not be back by sunset. Many have found that Deep Woods OFF (the green can) works the best. OFF in the orange has the next highest percentage of Deet concentratin, followed by the plastic bottle with the pink top, which is labeled as “family care”. For those of you who don’t like chemicals, some of the better herbal repellants may also work for you. I have had success with Buzz Away Extreme (by Quantam) (www.quantamhealt.com) or Burts Bees Defender Herbal Insect Repellant or Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellant. You can buy any of the OFF varieties here on Utila, but the herbal repellants you’ll need to get in the States.
2. Pack a pair of lightweight or “travel weight” long sleeve clothing and pants, especially if going out to sunset/dinner time when the sandflies can be bad. Really, lightweight clothing is not hot, and you will be oh so much happier.
3. Sleep with a strong fan directed on you or an overhead fan above; the wind from the fan is too much for the sand flies to hover around you.
4. Look into Vitamin B-1 and garlic. Folks have reported success in deterring the pesky sandflies if they load up on B-1 and garlic before the trip. Read up and ask your doctor to insure this method is suitable for you.
What is the Weather Like?
See the discussions under “Travel to Utila” and also “Weather”.
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